CSU had its worst home football attendance in 42 years last season, despite winning a bowl game and finishing above .500 for the first since 2008.

And there's no more Kapri Bibbs to electrify the crowd, who alone was worth the price of a ticket last year during his record-setting season.

The challenges facing Colorado State University in selling 2014 season football tickets are obvious, but despite all the reasons for fans to not buy tickets to watch the Rams this year, season ticket sales are chugging along at a near-record rate.

College football doesn't kick off for another four months, and CSU has already seen 90 percent of its 5,320 season ticket holders from 2013 elect to renew for the fall. Granted, it helps that the renewal campaign began in December — before the Rams won the New Mexico Bowl.

"We don't have a specific number we're trying to hit. The ultimate goal is to sell out every game, but what we can't sell in season tickets, we'll sell in three-game packages and individuals," said Jason Layton, CSU's senior associate athletic director for sales and marketing.

Layton added that the school expects to sell more season packages than 2013; however, some fans question the likelihood of that happening.

Yes, the Rams are coming of their first bowl victory in five years, but is that enough to erase the memory of a 42-77 record over the past decade?

The Rams haven't been consistent winners since coach Sonny Lubick's heyday in 1994-2003, when the Rams went 86-38 and had a winning record every season. That winning gap has left many a CSU graduate with less than fond memories of CSU football. Also, consider that most of them are in their 30s at this point, many married with young children.

With season tickets running $130 per person at the cheapest option, purchasing a package for a couple and one child runs close to $400. Which brings up the question: Should there be a less expensive way for families to enter Hughes?

CSU is aware of the concerns and appears to be doing something about them.

For recent graduates, Layton said, a young donor (30 years old and younger) program has been started, providing the option for those who qualify to purchase season tickets in the $199 tier for $150. A Ram Club donation, however, is still required.

Regarding children, beginning this year, fans can purchase youth season tickets that cost $65, admitting kids to all six home games and the Rocky Mountain Showdown against Colorado in Denver. Layton estimated the ticket to the Showdown alone is worth at least $40.

There are season ticket payment plans available, but the No. 1 factor in bringing large crowds back to Hughes remains having a winning program to sell.

Ike Pelton, 31, and his wife Heather have been season ticket holders for CSU football games since 2008 and have noticed fan enthusiasm start to drop off, which is part of the reason they chose to leave their seats in the north end zone and sit in the student section. Even with lighter student crowds, the ones who do show bring a little energy that's fun to be around, he said.

And for Pelton, it's the environment he enjoys more than the game itself. He graduated from CSU in 2006 after transferring from New Mexico and didn't consider himself a Rams football fan until after college when he started tailgating with friends in Fort Collins.

That camaraderie is what sold him on cheering for the green and gold, but it's more fun to do so in a stadium packed to near capacity than it is in one that sits half-empty on Saturdays.

"Things are starting to get better, especially the past couple of years," Pelton said. "Between what McElwain and (athletic director Jack) Graham have done, I've seen that start to bring excitement back to fans.

"It's all about winning. Every year when they start out the season well, they have a game that's almost sold out, but then they play terrible in that game, and nobody comes back the rest of the season. There was the San Jose State game last year and Boise State a couple of years before that. People get interested in them when they're playing well, then everyone comes out and sees them play horrible."

Attendance for CSU's 34-27 loss to SJSU last season was 26,022. In the three remaining home games after the loss, an average of 17,304 attended. Average home attendance on the season was 18,600 — the third-lowest mark in Hughes Stadium history.

A winning product can change a lot, said Layton, who was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before CSU, and hopes the buzz of last season's New Mexico Bowl will carry over to 2014.